Mini SAARC football tournament to begin March 28

Gangtok, Mar 23 (UNI) Sikkim Sports and Youth Affairs department(SYA) is organising a mini SAARC promotional U-19 football tournament here from March 28.

SYA Joint Director Karma Yougyal told newsmen here that eight teams from India, Bhutan, Nepal have given their consent to participate in the mega event.

Mr Yougyal said the main objective of the tournament is to popularise the sport among the youth and to spot the 'talents' playing for different clubs.

The tournament would be played on league-cum-knock out basis. The Sports Academy of Sikkim would take on the Muslim Institute Football Academy, Delhi on the inaugural day.

All the eight teams have been divided into two groups of four teams each and each team would have to play at least three matches, he said.

The teams which would participate in the tournament are-- Sports Academy Sikkim, Muslim Institute Football Academi, Delhi, Delhi Development Authority Football Academy, Mohan Bagan SAIL Football Academy, ANFA Youth Football Academy, Nepal, Mahilput Football Academy Punjab, and Kanchenjunga Football Academy, Darjeeling.

The tournament would conclude on April 12.

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